There were wall to wall people Friday out shopping. If our economy is as bad as they(whomever they may be)say, just where did all these people get the money they were shopping with?
I had to mail some things and buy some Stamps so I was standing in line at the post
office for what seemed like hours. Then when I started home I got caught up in bumper to bumper traffic. I saw packages and bags of all sizes in the cars around me. There wasn't even a parking place to be found at some of the stores. Even the large parking area at the malls were almost to capacity. Then I noticed that all the restaurants were packed full also. If the economy is bad and people have less money to spend then how come it looked like it wasn't stopping anyone from spending what money they did have. Was it because of the stimulus checks, that they received ,that got them out and spending or did they save a little from each paycheck to do the shopping with? Did you get caught up in the sales and go shopping Friday? Do you think the economy is as bad as people think?
[question posted by Kowgirl]
responses and comments:
I believe people are looking at the gas prices going down and thinking everything is fine. But, I'd be cautious about spending too much money and especially running up bills this Christmas. The economy is on shaky ground! And you don't know what the government of the incoming president is going to do. And you don't know if you'll have a job from day to day. But some people may have been saving money all year in order to buy their Christmas gifts. I know I'm one that won't be charging anything! [Barb42]
You have to consider do they have the money on hand or in the bank account or will have the money at the end of the month to pay for the stuff? Many of the buyers will be charging and putting it on their credit card, and they will probably be paying interest for months to come. On the other hand, there are some wise people who have put money aside and have what we called a Christmas fund, and that is the money they will use. There is also the fact, that because you all work hard down in the States and do not have as many holidays as we do here in Canada, that that is the only major day to do your shopping. So the shopping frenzy may be illusionary. [suspenseful]
It is the same on this side of the Atlantic. I went last weekend to one of the biggest shopping malls around here it was completely packed. Friday evening is the busiest day and Christmas is not that far after all. It is may the paying system we have here where you get a summer and Christmas bonus. Your yearly salary is divided in 14 parts and in July and December you get double. May be people are already choosing what they will buy next month. [overwings]
I think people will always buy for Christmas. The question is how much, and what are they buying. Most are buying smaller priced products, and limiting their spending budget. You will always get some who will charge it up, and spend reckless, but not as much this year. [melissaruth1]
Hi Kowgirl, yep I do think the economy is as bad as it is said to be, but do believe that when there is a chance of a good salle and able to save some money anyone will jump at them, being in the UK there are lots of sales here, and lots of people are buying from them for Christmas not the big shops...littleowl [littleowl]
Well, I say that our economy at this point is like the worst state compared to any other times since the Great Depression in the 1930s. Well I don't really know too much about the unemployment rates compared to a few weeks ago, but I am pretty sure they are still high. Yes, good thing is that the gas prices are getting lower nowadays, but who knows, it might skyrocket once again during our lifetime. Besides, some people who are actually involved in loads of PTC sites probably earned a little extra income there, and go shopping with that amount of income. I don't know about your area, but in this area where I live (the GHETTO county), I can see many of the plazas or stores and malls are closing. I see that a couple of Circuit City stores are closing as well, and a few other Circuit City stores out there also. Who knows, maybe the whole Circuit City business is closing, or just a few other stores that are doing poorly. Oh well, now all we can hope for is our newly elected President Obama to do something really smart and bring this country back into the shape it should be in. [animeniak]
Yes I believe the economy is bad like they say, jobs are being lost and banks are closing, how can that be a sign of a strong economy, they are saying this won't turn around until 20010, now how is the economy strong, if you have to wait that long to find a job, I don't understand why people are doing, all this shopping if things are so bad.sad [notlistening2]
Americans are one of the worst countries with a bad economy at the moment Canadians on the other hand are in the medium zone.Gas prices are rapidly dropping as someone said and that is not good at all jobs will be lost. [XeroFrozenFs]
I do agree with you. There were a lot of people at the mall I was just there to window shop to have the feeling of Christmas and I was amazed how many people were buying things here in California. [patriciaqualls]
Well, I went to Walmart to get my husband a few pairs of much needed jeans. I also got my oldest her supplys for her science project. I basically got what I need to get and got out. Most of the people there were all located in the Electronic and toy sections. Then I went to Kohls to see what I could get my niece for Christmas on the clearance racks. I found a 40 dollar pair of jeans for 14.50, and two 30 dollar blouses for less than 5 bucks. I also picked up 4 Toys at really cheap prices like less than 5 bucks. I am shopping smarter and won't use a credit card again. I only have my oldest to shop for, she only wants books or things relating to the Air Force. I got my youngest done when toys R Us had the toy she wanted on sale with bonus's, I paid that with a gift card I got from the phone company for getting a modem. I haven't decided yet if I will get other family members anything yet. My price limit will be maybe 10 bucks or less. It took me an hour to get from point B to point A of the check out at Kohls. Everything was on sale at really low prices, but I'm cheap as the sky is blue. I got to save even more on things, one reason why I love Kohls. [chertsy]
I do believe our economy isnt that great right now. I also think that some people dont think about it when it comes to some holidays like Christmas. Another thing is you will have the ones that will just charge items and others that probably went out hoping to actually save money, which can be done with these kinds of sales. Then you have people like me that really didnt have money and just stayed home. I personally think Christmas and the other holidays are over done anymore. It is all about money. [Ithink]
I have a craft business. I can tell you our sales are down to a third of what we usually do this time of year. I noticed at walmart where I went to but my digital camera people were carrying very few packages. People leaving the store were not carrying much. I did notice the parking lot was full, there were alot of people out and about by no one I saw was carying out much. Everyone I know is cutting back alot. I am only giving things I make. Crocket beanies and throws. Turquoise Necklaces I make, almost nothing store bought. These are some of the things I make and sell alot of.....usually [morningstar369]
It makes me happy that people are spending happily.May be things are not that bleak. [balasri]
I think the answer to your question is yes, and no. I think it is bad, in terms of banks failing and other businesses failing. I mean, even Mr Pickens, a billionaire, had to put his plan for a string of wind mills to make power, to show it could be done, on hold! He is a well known, wealthy man, who said he had to put this plan on hold because even he can't get credit right now. Donald Trump also said no one, no matter how credit worthy, is getting credit. So I think the potential problem is very, very dire, but I think it hasn't reached all the way down to us yet -- except in some pockets. In some cities, the unemployment is already very high, and the giving is down all over, so there is less money to help the people who need help, even for Christmas. But many people are still doing well and some areas have not been hit as hard -- yet. I think our economy is hanging in the balance right now, and what the incoming President does will determine in part, which way it goes. Personally, I think the banks that are going under ought to go under, and give bailout money mostly to the people in need, and a little to those who are in a position to fill in the gap left by the failed automakers and banks -- so they will be able to quickly get their new businesses or enlarged businesses up and running and hire the people who were let go because of the businesses gone under. But that's just my uneducated opinion.angry [thedogshrink]
I think this could be deceiving as many of the people out shopping on Black Friday are only buying those things to turn around and sell them at a higher profit. Not all the people, but a lot. Also more shoppers mean more people are looking to get deals and spend less money this year. That's how I see it. [cheapcindy]
I don't think this economy is that bad and I don't think we are in a recession even though we technically are since we will have two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. But the news is reporting that on Black Friday, they had the same, if not more people, than last year which is a very good sign. The unemployment rate is not that high and I don't think we will get into a depression like we did in the 1920's. I did go shopping on Black Friday and bought everything I needed for half price. [jakeb1]